A new life with a new job in Germany

In 2014, Elvira Martin decided to embark on the adventure of a lifetime and moved to Frankfurt am Main in Germany. One year has passed, and Elvira is still very enthusiastic with Frankfurt am Main, her new home city, as well as with the German culture and the international atmosphere that she is experiencing.

Read our interview with Elvira to find out a little bit more about living in the heart of Europe.

What do you find exciting about your new life in Frankfurt/Germany?

Frankfurt is a major financial and business centre in Germany, very cosmopolitan, but at the same time quite a small city with approximately 700.000 citizens – if I compare Frankfurt with my home city Madrid. One of the best things about the city is that you can access a lot of places within a short walking distance, or by cycling or using the well-developed public transportation network. I love living in a city with a river too, during spring and summer it’s a great place to spend your free time, and even in the winter time you can have an enjoyable walk. Plus, in the summer there are lots of festivities organized at the river bank.

The city is full of life and multi-cultural, half of the population is from other parts of the world, which helps people to settle in quickly. You hear English language spoken everywhere.

I can confirm that life in Germany is pretty relaxed but it’s also amusing with a lot of things to do. There’s a range of international restaurants, bars and a lot of cultural activities (museums, festivals, sports activities, concerts, etc.) The majority of German people are generally quite friendly, polite and very loyal. There is a saying that if you have a German friend you will have him/her forever. And by the way, I also do appreciate the variety of German beers!

How have you decided to do a relocation to Germany?

Actually, I have moved for love to Frankfurt! I relocated, because my partner found a great career opportunity and relocated to Germany one year before me. After living apart for a whole year, I eventually made the decision to relocate to Germany as well. I came without any career perspective, started an intensive German course and found an amazing opportunity in Marketing with a multinational company.

Which places do you recommend to visit in Germany?

There are a lot of interesting things to see in Germany, both in the northern and in the southern part of Germany is also a strategic place to travel around Central Europe. You can easily reach other European hot spots like Paris (4 hours train trip away), Amsterdam (also 4 hours by train) or Switzerland (4 hours by train or by car).

For sure you should make a visit to Berlin: known for its rich cultural heritage, the diversity and a trendsetting atmosphere.

Munich in Bavaria, is a city that revels in its contradictions. Modernity driven by technology companies and innovation as well as tradition. All combined with a stunning architecture, culture, history, beer gardens and a beautiful countryside.

Besides the two cities Berlin and Munich, you can find lots of little charming towns that are surrounded by rivers and castles. For example: Heidelberg or Rothenburg/Tauber among others.

What was the biggest challenge about your international move to Germany?

The main challenge is certainly the German language. Although English is widely spoken, it’s still difficult if you have to deal with the German administration or to navigate day to day life without knowing the German language properly.

What advice would you give to anyone relocating to a foreign country and starting a job abroad?

Make sure to learn the language! In my case, although Germans are proficient in English and even if you work in an international company in English, most of my colleagues are Germans. Knowing the local language will make it easier for you to adapt, to settle in, and your local contacts and colleagues will appreciate the effort.